College swimmers take top honors at Dave Reynolds Biathlon

Photo by: Nick RothEric Peghini of Rehoboth Beach, left, leads Kim Murphy of Hermitage, Pa., and Scott Talbott of Chevy Chase, Md., to the finish line on the Boardwalk.

Last summer, Bradley Brooks celebrated his high school graduation with a win at the Dave Reynolds Biathlon in Rehoboth Beach. The swimmer and lifeguard had graduated from Charter School of Wilmington shortly before, and he was in town celebrating with this family.

This year, the 19-year-old followed up that performance with his second straight win in the half-mile swim and 5K run event, crossing the finish line in 30:20 to reclaim his title for another year. The time was 1:04 slower than his previous win, but it was still five seconds fast enough for the win.

Brooks recently completed his freshman year at McDaniel College in Westminster, Md., where he is a member of the Green Terror swim team. In his first season in the pool, Brooks has made quite a splash, recording the fastest times of the season in several events.

Finishing just behind Brooks in second place was Dan Feeney, 22, of Wilmington, in 30:25. Rounding out the top five were Alexander Hampel, Steve O'Boyle and Matthew Bahama.

The course record was set in 1993 by Steve Petitt, who ran the race in a blistering 26:04.

The top women's finisher was Joanna Baird, 20, of Lutherville-Timonium, Md., in 33:54. Baird is a member of the Rehoboth Beach Patrol in the summer and a sophomore swimmer at the University of Delaware. Baird finished 6:03 ahead of the next female competitor, Paula Pels, who finished in 39:57.

Following the race, a special award was given to Harry Nothacker for competing in every Dave Reynolds biathlon over the last 23 years. Nothracker, 65, of Devon, Pa., finished the race in 43:46.

Check out Tim Bamforth's running column in the Friday, July 5 edition of the Cape Gazette for more information about the race. To see the full results, go to www.seashorestriders.com.

Joanna Baird, 20, of Lutherville-Timonium, Md., was the first woman to cross the finish line in 33:54.
(Photo by: Nick Roth)

Jordan Lingo of Milford finishes the swim. He finished in 35:56, 10th in the men's division.
(Photo by: Nick Roth)

Steve O'Boyle starts pulling off his swimming gear as he looks at his competition ahead. He finished fourth in the men's division with a time of 33:40.
(Photo by: Nick Roth)

Peggy Rossitto of Millsboro makes her way to the transition area on the Boardwalk.
(Photo by: Nick Roth)

Matthew Bahama, 19, was the first to exit the water. He finished the race in fifth with a time of 34:03.
(Photo by: Nick Roth)

John Laukaitis, 13, of West Newton, Mass., completed the race in 41:41.
(Photo by: Nick Roth)

Joanna Baird, 20, of Lutherville Timonium, Md., was the first woman out of the water and the first to cross the finish line in 33:54.
(Photo by: Nick Roth)

Jacki Coveleski, a 2012 Cape grad, ran the back half of the biathlon. Her coed team finished in 37:53.
(Photo by: Nick Roth)

Jordan Lingo feels good at the tail end of his biathlon. He finished in 35:56 for 10th place.
(Photo by: Nick Roth)

Emily Pendleton of Rehoboth Beach saves a few seconds as she puts on her shirt as she runs out of the transition area. She finished 10th in the women's division with a time of 45:07.
(Photo by: Nick Roth)